Cano: Alex will be hit with kids in new role

SEATTLE — Robinson Cano has remained close with Alex Rodriguez since the second baseman left New York three years ago, and while he didn’t like seeing A-Rod get pushed out by the Yankees two weeks ago, the All-Star believes his former teammate will thrive in an adviser/instructor role in the future.

“I would say (he will be) great because he has a lot of knowledge about the game,” Cano said. “He’s one of those guys I know that worked so hard every single day, always in shape. This is a guy you never hear complain. Always loved the game, and you want a guy like that around the kids.

“He’s one of the guys that helped me how to play the game when I first came up. No matter what, I’m always going to appreciate everything that he has done for me.”

Cano has had a resurgent season, entering the week hitting .290 with an .865 OPS, 28 homers and 79 RBI in 122 games. His play has the Mariners contending for a playoff spot, something Cano hasn’t experienced since he played in the 2012 ALCS with the Yankees.

Cano thought the Yankees handled ARod’s situation “the way they think was right,” but he added that “nobody would like being released during the middle of the season.”

As to whether A-Rod may suit up as an active player again, Cano was uncertain, though he didn’t hide his desire to see his friend hit four more home runs to reach a big milestone.

“I would love to see him get 700 home runs,” Cano said. “As a kid you dream, you want to hit 500, but you’re so close to 700 … If I was him, I would play, because it’s only four. If you say 20, 25, but it’s only four home runs.”

PEN PALS

When the Yankees traded Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller before the trade deadline, many figured the bullpen would take a huge hit, especially trying to protect late leads.

But Tyler Clippard and Adam Warren have done a stellar job replacing the two stud lefties, helping the Yankees remain in the race by teaming up with Dellin Betances to form an impressive 1-2-3 punch.

“It’s really pretty amazing because of the quality of pitchers that we traded away,” Joe Girardi said. “These guys have stepped up and done a really nice job and it’s important that they continue to do that because you’re going to be in those close games and you need to have the ability to hold people down.”

Entering Monday, Clippard had allowed one run over nine innings in 10 appearances with the Yankees, holding hitters to a .188 average and .570 OPS. His lone mistake came in a 9-5 win over the Mets on Aug. 3, when Neil Walker hit a meaningless ninth-inning home run against the righty. Warren’s overall numbers don’t look as good, mostly because of the four runs he allowed in one-third of an inning against the Blue Jays last Tuesday. He had a 3.55 ERA in 12 outings since returning to the Yankees, though that number is 0.73 in the other 11 appearances.

As much as the trades were about adding minor-league talent to bolster the organization’s future, Girardi said the addition of the two veteran relievers has proven to be crucial as the Yankees try to track down a playoff spot.

“I think it was really important because I think it’s hard to throw guys that don’t have that experience in those roles where there are expectations and games are close,” Girardi said. “You can’t afford to make mistakes, so I think it was important that we brought in some guys with experience.”